Hockey team may win competition

by Robin Kendrick

Five university teams are entered in the Wellington men's hockey competition. A senior side, two senior reserve teams and two second division teams. With the season more than half-way through, the club is in a strong position to win the Club Championship and possibly win all top three grades.

THE senior team is at present first equal with Karori but; has a much better goal average. With six players in the Wellington representative squad, the strength of the team speaks for itself.

Bruce Judge, the New Zealand right wing, Alan Read, Thur Borren and Keith Pur-chase make up a very strong attacking force, easily the best right side combination in the competition. All four are in the Wellington squad, the other two members are Robin Kendrick (centre-half) and Richard Grant (inside left).

University has as well a very good defence and to date only five goals have passed the pads of goalkeeper Neil Woodhams. Much credit must go to the fullbacks, Chris Kirkham and Des Meads.

The senior reserve first division team has a splendid record, it has not lost a game this season and currently leads the division by eight points. Several of the players would be welcomed by any other senior side in Wellington, notably John Scott, Jim Pether, Dave White and Bob Gray. The team has scored 65 goals for with 10 against so far this season.

The other senior reserve team, playing in the second division, after an uncertain start, have settled down and are now combining much better. They are at present top of their division and it is hoped that they can keep their position so that they may meet the first division team in the play-off to decide the winner of the senior reserve grade.

The second grade "A" team have had a good season and have managed to be in second position as of last Saturday. With club stalwarts such as Torn Broadmore and Peter McInnes in the side the team endeavours to play the university-style hockey.

The second "B" team suffers from lack of players at crucial times around term holidays and this means losing valuable points; however, they have notched up 11 points to be in fourth position.

This year has so far been good for the club and promises to at least equal last year's standard.